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TSDENISON & COMPANY 
PUBLISHERS" CHICAGO 



f^i'^'TiXf' 



DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS. 

A Partial List of Successful and Popular Plays. Laric Cataloiiue Free. 
Price 15 Cents Each, Postpaid. Unless Different Price is Given. 



DRAMAS. COMEDIES. ENTER- 
TAINMENTS. Etc. 

M. F. 

After the Game, 2 acts, 1% 

hrs (25c) 1 9 

All a Mistake, 3 acts, 2 hrs. (25c) 4 4 
All That Glitters Is Not Gold, 

2 acts, 2 hrs 6 3 

Altar of Riches, 4 acts, 2^ hrs. 

(25c) .,.^..5 S 

American Hustler, 4 acti, 2yi 

hrs '{230) 7 4 

Arabian Nights, 3 acts, 2 hrs... 4 5 
Bank Cashier, 4 acts, 2 hrs. (25c) 8 4 
Black Heifer, 3 acts, 2 hrls.(25c) 9 3 

Bonnybell, 1 hr (25c).Optnl. 

Brookdale Farm, 4 acts, 2J4 hrs. 

(25c) 7 3 

Brother Josiah, 3 acts, 2 h.(25c) 7 4 
Busy Liar, 3 acts, 2% hrs. (25c) 7 4 

Caste, 3 acts, 2i/4 hrs 5 3 

Corner Drug Store, 1 hr.(25c)17 14 
Cricket on the Hearth, 3 acts, 

1 H hrs 7 8 

Danger Signal, 2 acts, 2 hrs... 7 4 
Daughter of the Desert, 4 acts, 

2^ hrs ...(25c) 6 4 

Down in Dixie, 4 acts, 234 hrs. 

(25c) 8 4 

East Lynne, 5 acts, 2% hrs 8 7 

Editor-in-Chief, 1 hr (25c)10 

Elma, IH hrs (25c) Optnl. 

Enchanted Wood, lU h.(35c) Optnl. 

Eulp.lia, 1 Vi hrs (25c) Optnl. 

F3re at ihe Window, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (2Sc) 4 4 

F»om Sumter to Appomattox, \4 

acts, 2y2 hrs (25c) 6 2 

Fun on the Podunk Limited, 

154 hrs (25c)*9 14 

Handy Andy (Irish) , 2 acts, 1 1/4 h. 8 2 
Heiress of Hoetown, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) S, 4 

High School Freshman, 3 acts, 

2 h (25c) 12 

Home, 3 acts, 2 hrs 4 3 

Honor of a Cowboy, 4 acts, 2^ 

hrs (25c)13 4 

Iron Hand, 4 acts, 2 hrs.. (25c) 5 4 
It's All in the Pay Streak, 3 

acts, IH hrs (25c) 4 3 

Jayville Junction, IJ^ hrs. (25c) 14 17 
Jedediah Tudkins, J. P., 4 acts, 

2'^ hrs (25c) 7 5 

Kingdom of Heart's Content, 3 

acts, 2% hrs (25c) 6 12 

Light Brigade, 40 min (25c) 10 

Little Buckshot, 3 acts, 2% hrs. 

(25c) 7 4 

Lodge of Kye Tyes, 1 hr.(2Sc)13 
Lonelyville Social Club, 3 acts, 

1^ hrs (25c) 10 



M. F. 

Louva, the Paui>er, 5 acts, 2 h. . 9 4 
Man from Borneo, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c)' .5 2 

Man from Nevada, 4 acts, 2;[4 

hrs (25c) 9 5 

Mirandy's, Minstrels, , . . (25c) (i)ptnl. 

New Woman, 3 acts, 1 hr 3 6 

Not Such a Fool as He Looks, 

3 acts, 2 hrs 5 3 

Odds with the Enemy, 4 acts, 

1 3^ hrs 7 4 

Old Maid's Club, VA hrs. (25c) 2 16 
Old School at Hick'ry Holler, 

l}4 hrs (25c) 12 9 

Only Daughter, 3 acts, IH hrs. 5 2 
On the Little Big Horn, 4 acts, 

ZVi hrs (25c) 10 4 

Our Boys, 3 acts, 2 hrs 6 4 

Out in the Streets, 3 acts, 1 hr. 6 4 

Pet of Parson's Ranch, 5 acts, 2 h. 9 2 

School Ma'am, 4 acts, 1^ hrs.. 6 5 

Scrap of Paper, 3 acts, 2 hrs.. 6 6 

Seth Greenback, 4 acts, 154 hrs. 7 3 

Soldier of Fortune, 5 acts, 2 J/2 h. 8 3 

Solon Shingle, 2 acts, IJ-^ hrs.. 7 2 

Sweethearts, 2 acts, 35 min.... 2 2 
Ten Nights in a Barroom, 5 

acts, 2 hrs 7 4 

Third Degree, 40 min (25c) 12 

Those Dreadful Twins, 3 acts, 

2 hrs (25c) 6 4 

Ticket-of -Leave Man, 4 acts, 2^ 

hrs : 8 3 

Tony, The Convict, 5 acts, 2^4 

hrs (25c) 7 4 

Topp's Twins, 4 acts, 2 h. . (25c) 6 4 

Trip to Storyland, 1 14 hrs. (25c) 17 23 

Uncle Josh, 4 acts, 2^4 hrs. (25c) 8 3 

Under the Laurels, 5 acts, 2 hrs. 6 4 
Under the Spell, 4 acts, 2^4 

hrs (25c) 7 3 

Yankee Detective, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 8 3 

FARCES. COMEDIETTAS, Etc. 

April Fools, 30 min 3 

Assessor, The, 10 min 3 2 

Aunt Matilda's Birthday Party, 

35 min 

Baby Show at Pineville, 20 min. 



Bad Job, 30 min 3 

Betsy Baker, 45 min 2 

Billv's Chorus Girl, 25 min... 2 

Billy's Mishap, 20 min 2 

Borrowed Luncheon, 20 min.. 
Borrowing Trouble, 20 min.... 3 

Box and Cox, 35 min 2 

Cabman No. 93, 40 min 2 

Case Ag;ainst Casey, 40 min... 23 
Convention of Papas, 25 min... 7 

Country Justice, 15 min 8 

Cow that Kicked Chicago, 20 m. 3 



T. S. DENISON 8i COMPANY, Publishers, 163 Randolph St., Chicago. 



AFTER THE PLAY 



A DRAMATIC SKETCH 



HARRY Wf OSBORNE 

AUTHOR OF 

'*A Home Ru7i " 



s 



CHICAGO 

T. S. Denison & Company, Publishers 

163 Randolph Street 



AFTER THE PLAY 



CHARACTERS. 

Ralph Harvey The Husband 

Fay Clifford The Wife, An Actress 

Ruth Gordon A Stage-Struck Girl 

LuCETTE A Maid 



Time of Playing — About Twenty-five Minutes. 
Time — The Present, Between Eleven and Twelve P. 



M. 



STAGE SETTING. 

Interior Backing 




H Door h 



□ Chair 



iPQ 




Window 



Costumes. 
Harvey, about thirty years of age, a man of wealth. 
Dressed in a dark business suit, tuxedo or frock coat. Fay, 
a woman of thirty. Ruth_, a pretty girl of eighteen or 
twenty. Both fashionably gowned. Lucette, typical cos- 
tume of a maid. 

STAGE DIRECTIONS. 
R. means right of the stage ;^ C, center ; R. C, right 
center; L., left; R. D., right door ; L. D., left door, etc.; 
1 E., first entrance ; U. E., upper entrance, etc. ; D. P., door 
in flat, or scene running across the back of the stage 1 G., 
first groove, etc. The actor is supposed to be facing the 
audience. 

Notice — Production of this play is free to amateurs, but the sole 
professional rights are reserved by the Publishers. 



COPYRIGHT, 1910, BY T. S. DENISON & COMPANY. 
2 



aClD 22725 



I ^ I o 

AFTER THE PLAY 



Scene: Parlor of the Harveys' suite of rooms in a pri- 
vate hotel. Door at C. leading into hall off L. Door leading 
to another room at R. U. E. Double zvindozvs at L. See 
Scene Plot for stage setting. 

At rise Harvey is discovered seated on a sofa reading 
nezi'spaper and smoking. A fezv seconds after rise Lucette 
enters R. D. zvith pasteboard box full of Hozvers. She lays 
box on chair up R, removes Uozvers, goes to piano and tak- 
ing doztm vase comes to C. arranging flozvcrs in vase. 

Lucette. Are zay not beautiful? 

Harvey. Very. Who sent them? (Lucette goes to box 
on chair and ascertaining that Harvey is not looking, takes 
card from box and conceals it in the front of her dress, 
shrugs her shoulders.) 

Lucette. Dere ees no card in zee box. 

Harvey. Rather odd. The sender must be very modest. 

Lucette (going to mantel, right zuith vase). Ah, madame 
ees zee great actress, she has many admirers, ees it not so? 

Harvey. Yes, I suppose so. 

Lucette. It is nearly time for madame to come from zee 
theater. I must make ready her chocolate. {She gathers up 
box and papers on chair and as she does so the card falls 
from her dress. She exits R. D. Harvey sees card fall and 
picks it up, not looking at it.) 

Harvey. Ah, Lucette. 

Lucette (from right room). Yes, monsieur. (Enter 
R. D.) 

Harvey. Didn't you drop this? (Lucette starts to reach 
for the card, then feels in her dress dismayed.) 

3 



4 AFTER THE PLAY. 

LucETTE. Yes ; zat ees, it must have fallen from zee 
box. 

Harvey (reading from card). Richard Leslie. (Lucette 
drops her eyes.) He has sent flowers before, hasn't he? 

Lucette. Mebbe so. She receive so many flowaires — 
{gesturing). 

Harvey. For how long has this Mr. Richard Leslie been 
sending- flowers to my wife ? 

Lucette. Mistaire Leslie ees vairy old friend of Mrs. 
Harvey's. Ees it not so? 

Harvey. Yes, so I understand. Does the gentleman 
ever favor us by calling? 

Lucette. Yes, yes, many times (smiling confidently), 
but I always say madame ees not at home. 

Harvey. All right, Lucette. (Lucette exits R. D. a 
little defiantly. Harvey turns card over in his hand and 
reads:) "I love you." Ah, making love to my wife, eh? 
(Thinks.) Confound that fellow, anyway. I thought Fa^ 
chucked him for good when we were married. (Walking 
up and dozvn.) She might have told me he called. (Same 
business.) Yes, she might have told me that, anyway. If I 
show it to her she will laugh and turn it off as she always 
does. (Sits on sofa. Telephone rings off right. Harvey 
zvalks to door and as he reaches it Lucette's voice is heard 
anszvering. He turns and faces front.) 

Lucette. Hello, hello ! Yes — no, she eesn't here at pres- 
ent. Who ees talking, please. Oh, yes ; she vill be here vairy 
soon, but — (quickly) — no, no, no. Some ozzair time, some 
ozzair time. Yes, yes; he ees. (Click of receiver hung up 
is heard. Harvey comes dozvn with clinched hands.) 

Harvey. Lucette. 

Enter Lucette R. D. 

Lucette. Yes. 

Harvey. Did someone ask for Mrs. Harvey? 

Lucette. Yes. 

HyVrvey. Who was it? 

Lucette. Mistaire Leslie. 



AFTER THE PLAY. 5 

Harvey (biirstuig out). Lucette, what does this man 
mean by his persistent attentions to my wife. 

Lucette. It ees not for me to say, m'sieur. 

Harvey (crossing L.). Confound his impudence. 

Lucette. M'sieur will excuse me? 

Harvey. Yes, yes; certainly. (Exit Lucette R. D.) 
She's playing- tonight the part of a woman who married for 
money, while all the time she loved a poor devil who hadn't 
a cent. She plays it well — no, no. I can't think it. She 
couldn't do it. She couldn't live the part. (Same business 
of ivalking up and dozi'n.) If I could only be sure. If I 
could only be sure. There's that terrible uncertainty. I'll 
ask her about this. She'll laugh, call me a jealous boy and 
make me forget. Forget it until something again happens, 
as it surely will, as it always has, and all the time — oh, I 
can't stand it ! There's a way to be sure — test her. If she 
does love this man and thought I had found out and left 
her, she would call him to her side on the instant. (Pause.) 
I'll do it. (Goes to table, thinks a moment and then writes 
hurriedly, seals it in envelope, goes to R. D.) Lucette, Lu- 
cette. 

Enter Lucette R. D. 

Harvey. Lucette, give this note to Mrs. Harvey as soon 
as she comes. 

Lucette. Yes, m'sieur. {Takes note. Exit Harvey 
C. D.) 

Lucette looks off after him and then at letter in her 
hand, comes dozun, lays letter carelessly on table, rearranges 
chairs, picks up nezvspapers and exits R. D. Bell rings off 
L. and Lucette re-enters, crosses and exits C. D. A fezv 
seconds elapse and Mrs. Harvey enters C. D. Lucette 
follozvs her in and helps her off zmth her things. 

Lucette. How ees madame feeling tonight? 
Fay. Very well, thank you. A little tired, as usual. 
Lucette. Will madame have anything to eat with her 
chocolate ? 

Fay. No, Lucette. 



6 AFTER THE PLAY. 

LuCETTE. Was zee play a success tonight? 

Fay. a good house — they laughed in the wrong place 
once. 

LuCETTE. Oh, how horrid, scemply terrible. (E.vit R. 
D., with Fay's things.) 

Fay goes to piano and plays popular air, in middle of 
song bell rings off L. Lucette enters with tray and choco- 
late things, places tray on tahoiirette and exits C. D. Fay 
goes to sofa and sips chocolate. Lucette re-enters C. D. 

Lucette. A young lady to see you about taking lessons. 
Fay. Tell her I cannot see her tonight. Ask her name 
and say for her to come some time next week. 

Lucette exits C. D. and re-enters in a moment. 

Lucette. She says her name ees R-ruth Gordon, zat 
last veek you promaised to seer her zees vairy evening. 

Fay. Oh, I do remember something. Very well, Lucette, 
I will see her. 

Exit Lucette C. D. and in a moment enter Ruth Gor- 
don, followed by Lucette, zvho exits at once R. D. Ruth 
looks at Fay admiringly. 

Fay. Good evening, my dear. 

Ruth. Oh, Miss Clifford, it is so good of you to see me. 

Fay. Won't you be seated. (Ruth sits at left.) 

Ruth. I was at the play tonight. Oh, your acting is so 
wonderful, so full of inspiration, I can hardly realize that 
you are the same person I saw half an hour ago. The death 
scene was simply beautiful. 

Fay. Do you wish to become an actress? 

Ruth. Yes, if you think I could. 

Fay. Your father and mother — have you their consent? 

Ruth. My father and mother are dead. 

Fay (with sympathy). Oh. 

Ruth. Fm living with an aunt and she has even en- 
couraged me. 

Fay. Very well, m.y dear, I will have you do something 
for me. 



AFTER THE PLAY. 7 

Ruth. Oh, how good of you. I can recite all of Romeo 
and Juliet and I know every word of Camille by heart. 

Fay. No, my dear, you have probably seen both Juliet 
and Camille played many times, and you will imitate un- 
consciously those you have seen. I wish you to give some- 
thing you have never seen done, to improvise. Anyone can 
imitate, few can create. The true test of talent is in im- 
provisation. 

Ruth. Improvisation ? 

Fay. Yes. I will give you a theme, a situation, a char- 
acter, and let you work it out. 

Ruth. Oh, I'm afraid I couldn't do that. 

Fay. Yes, you can, my dear. (Rising and zi'alking up 
and down.) Let me see. I want you to try something emo- 
tional. Ah, we will say you are a young married w^oman. 
You are devoted to your husband. You have been out for a 
few hours and on returning your servant tells you that your 
husband has gone out. We will say this is your room. You 
enter and find a letter on the table there from your hus- 
band. You open it and read that he has deserted you for 
another woman. You are greatly shocked, you look at your 
wedding ring and think back to the time your husband put 
it there. I think that will be sufficient. Do you understand 
the situation? 

Ruth (timidly). Yes, I think so. 

Fay. Well, don't be afraid, my dear. Just imagine you 
are before a great audience and lose yourself in the situ- 
ation. 

Ruth (risiiig). Shall I go out and then come in? 

Fay. Yes, that will do. All ready; begin. 

Fay sits on sofa. Ruth goes out C. D. and immediately 
re-enters. Her manner is strained, unnatural and much 
overdone. She tears open the door and throzvs herself 
against it, or if it is a curtain at the door, she tears them 
apart and jerks them together again, takes a terrified glance 
around the room and begins. 

Ruth. Not here. (Clasping her hands.) Oh, where 
can he have gone? Be still, my heart, be still. A strange 



8 AFTER THE PLAY. 

foreboding" assails me and makes me tremble like a leaf in 
the autumn wind. 

Fay. Excuse me, my dear, but if you were married you 
would know that there is nothing strange in not finding 
your husband in when you return home. 

Ruth. Oh, of course ; how stupid of me. 

Fay. Let me also suggest that you remove your hat 
when you enter, and of course you are entirely composed 
until you read the letter. 

Ruth (humbly). Thank you. May I start over again? 

Fay. Yes, my dear. 

Ruth goes out as before, but this time when she re- 
enters she is slozu, labored and languishing, removes her 
hat leisurely and places it on chair. 

Ruth. Ah, how still and sad the house is. I cannot de- 
ceive myself. I am lonesome the moment my dear husband 
is out of my sight. {She is far upstage, but discovers letter 
on table in impossible manner.) Ah! A letter — in my hus- 
band's handwriting. {Comes dozi'n to table and picks up 
letter.) My fingers tremble so I cannot open it. A strange 
and unutterable fear harrows up my soul. Ah, ah ! {Staggers 
and falls into chair.) Ah, but I must be brave. Yes, yes; 
I will be brave. .{Opens letter but does not read contents, 
merely giving it a glance and beginning to rant.) Oh! {At 
fop of her voice.) How could he! How could he! {Fit of 
tears.) He has left me. I am alone. Oh, how heartless 
and cruel a man can be, only a woman knows. The first 
love my trusting heart had felt was given to him, and what 
has he done! Oh, what, oh, what has he done! Torn and 
bleeding he has cast it aside and left me for another. Oh, 
who is she? Where is she? Why was she born? {Seeing 
ring on finger.) Ah. my wedding ring. How well I re- 
member the day he put it there ; the sacred vows he made. 
{Screaming.) Oh, it is a mockery — a horrible, inhuman 
mockery. Spurned and forsaken instead of loved and pro- 
tected ! I will no longer wear it! {Tugging at ring.) I will 
tear it from my finger even as I tear his image from my 
heart and hurl it to the four winds, to the four winds, to 



AFTER THE PLAY. 9 

the four winds {hurling imaginary ring) where I may 
never see it more. {Falls into chair in supposed faint.) 

Fay {zi'olking over). You quite tired yourself out, didn't 
you, my dear ? But you were very realistic ; yes, very real- 
istic. 

Ruth. Do you think I could improve on it? 

Fay {embarrassed). Well, that is, some small points 
could be worked out a little clearer. For instance, when 
you discover the letter, you would hardly recognize the 
letter clear across the room. And then — let me see — ah. 
you didn't read the letter at all. 

Ruth. Oh, didn't I? 

Fay. No, you just glanced at it. You see, my dear, the 
full import of such a letter would not appeal to you at 
once. 

Ruth {jumping up). Oh, of course. May I try it again? 

Fay {a little embarrassed) . \\'ell, it is rather late, isn't 
it? I am expecting my husband any moment. 

Ruth. Hovr long do you think it will take me. Miss 
Clifford, to become a great actress? 

Fay. Oh, it's a long, hard road to travel. I was on the 
stage two years before I was given a single line to speak. 

Ruth. Oh, I wouldn't like that. Isn't there some other 
criticism you can make of my work? 

Fay. No, I don't think of anything more now, except, 
of course, the business with the wedding ring. You couldn't 
hurl the ring to the four winds very well, in the four walls 
of your room. 

Ruth. Oh, but it is such a fine expression — ''to the 
four winds." 

Fay. Yes, of course. In general my advice would be to 
read no more cheap novels. Instead, study nature, and ob- 
serve the way people really act when moved by emotion. 

Ruth {disappointed). It's not at all interesting, is it? 

Fay {zvalking azi'ay). That's just as one looks at it. 

Ruth. Oh, Miss Clifford, I want to ask a favor of you. 

Fay {turning). Yes. 



10 AFTER THE PLAY. 

Ruth. Won't you please improvise for me on the same 
theme ? 

Fay. Certainly, if you wish, 

Ruth. Oh, I would just love to watch you. 

Fay. I'll run through it quickly, to give you a better 
idea of the points to be brought out. 

Ruth. Oh, thank you, so much: 

Fay {walking to C. D.). First be careful not to antici- 
pate the letter. You enter quietly, feeling confident your 
husband will soon return. After removing your hat you 
might go to the mirror and arrange your hair. You walk 
casually to the table and carelessly pick up the letter. 
{Suiting action to the word and from this point she no 
longer notices Ruth, hut forgets her presence. Ruth goes 
to extreme left.) Addressed to me. I didn't notice this was 
here. Looks like Mr. Harvey's writing. Yes, of course it 
is. The note must be for me. {Reads letter.) "As every- 
thing has been found out, we can live together no longer. 
Do not attempt to follow me, as it is useless. I have left 
enough money to your credit at the bank to provide for 
you. Forgive me for leaving you thus, but you, of course, 
know that it was impossible for me to do otherwise. Secure 
the divorce on whatever grounds you prefer. Ralph." {In 
dull, stunned manner.) Yes, yes; of course; his writing, 
his signature. There's some mistake. I did not read it 
right. {Glancing again at letter, then horrified.) What 
can this mean? The words burn themselves into my brain 
like coals of fire ! {Sinks limply into chair, closing her 
eyes in mute despair, crushing letter in her hand, intense 
pause and she springs to her feet and hurries to R. D. 
calling:) Lucette ! Lucette ! {Walks away and back until 
LucETTE enters.) 

Enter Lucette R. D. 

Fay. Where is Mr. Harvey, Lucette? 

Lucette. Oh, he vent out just a few minutes before 
you came in. 

Fay {catching herself). He went out — yes, yes. But did 
he leave no word, no message for me? 



AFTER TH5 PLAY. 11 

LuCETTE. Oh, pardon me, madame. Yes, he deed leave 
a lettair. I forgot; eet ees on zee table zere. 

Fav. Was that all? 

LuCETTE. Yes, zat vas all. Ees anyteeng zee mattaire? 
Does madame — 

Fay. No, no, Lncette. Go, go! I will send for you. 
(Exit LuCETTE R. D.) Then, then it is true — the old story. 
Another woman, a faithless husband. Oh, God! That I 
might have died before this happened ! {She faints on sofa. 
Ruth, who has stood in mute admiration, comes to C. zmth 
clasped hands.) 

Ruth. Oh I 

Bell rings off L., Lucette enters R. D. to answer bell, 
discovers Fay. 

Lucette. Oh, what ees zee mattaire — what has hap- 
pened ? 

Ruth. It was beautiful. You must not interrupt. She 
was just acting. 

Lucette. Acteeng? Zees ees not acteeng. She ees 
fainted. (Gets smelling salts from table, applies this and 
fans her until bell is again heard off L. Fay revives.) 

Fay. Ah, where am I ? Is it you, Lucette? What is the 
matter? (Bell rings.) There is the bell, Lucette. Go, go, 
quick! (Exit Lucette CD.) I must have been dream- 
ing. (Seeing letter in hand.) This letter — no, no I remem- 
ber. But that is he now. He has returned. It is all a 
mistake. 

Enter Lucette C. D. zi'ith visiting card. 

Fay. Yes, yes, Lucette. Why don't you speak? Who 
is it? (Lucette hands card.) Richard Leslie. ''I must see 
you at once." (Ruth has returned to extreme left, wvn- 
dering zuhat it is about.) Oh, my old friend. He, at least, 
has not forgotten me. But why does he call at this hour? 
(Thinks.) I begin to see now. He has known of my hus- 
band's faithlessness as have probably hundreds of others. 
That explains his persistent attentions which I have so con- 
stantly discouraged. Oh, how blind I have been not to 
have seen it. Mr. Leslie is waiting at the door? 



12 AFTER THE PLAY. 

LucETTE. Yes, and I forgot to tell you 'e sent you zose 
flowaires zis evening and telephoned half an hour ago. 

Fay. Oh, is that so. I'm glad you told me. (Aside.) 
Dick always said he loved me, even after I so foolishly mar- 
ried. We can talk over old times — he might bring a little 
comfort. 

LuCETTE. Madame, will see Meestaire Leslie? 

Fay. Yes. (Lucette starts out C. D., Fay notices 
Ruth.) One moment, Lucette. {To Ruth.) My dear, I 
am very tired tonight. Won't you come some other even- 
ing and we will talk this over again. 

Ruth. Oh, I can^ never thank you enough. You were 
glorious ! How silly I must have been. 

Fay. Lucette, help Miss Gordon with her things. (Fay 
is lost in thought while Ruth is putting on things. She 
comes down to Fay zvith outstretched hand.) 

Ruth. I will never forget your kindness. I may come 
again ? 

Fay. Yes, of course you may. {Takes Ruth's face in 
her hands.) Don't be an actress unless nothing ^Ise will 
satisfy and you are willing to sacrifice all hope of earthly 
happiness. Remember this. An actress should not marry. 

Ruth. But you are married. 

Fay {turning ozvay). Yes, yes; so I am. Good-by. 

Ruth. Good-by, Miss Clifford. {Goes up and exit C. D. 
with Lucette. Door is heard to close.) 

Fay. So, I am. My husband has broken his marriage 
vows, deserted me. Shall I still be true to him? 

Enter Lucette C. D. 

Lucette. Madame vill see Meestaire Leslie now ? 
Fay {tearing card.) Tell the gentleman I am not at 
home. 

Lucette {surprised) . You mean for me to say — 
Fay. That I am not at home. 

Exit Lucette C. D. Fay zvalks back and forth across 
room, then sinks on sofa, face in hands. Enter Lucette. 

Lucette. Ees zere anyteeng you wish, Madame? 
Fay. No, thanks, Lucette dear. You may go to bed. 



AFTER THE PLAY. 13 

(Exit LucETTE 7^. D. Fay rises unsteadily to her feet and 
with a dead calm expression on her face walks to the table 
and takes a small revolver from the drawer. She turns it 
over in her hand and examines it dully for a moment and 
then lays it doivn and sits at table and writes. She speaks 
in a lozif, level, expressionless voice, as she zvrites). To 
whom it may concern. I have done this with my own hand. 
Fay Chfford. (She holds the note she has just written in 
her left hand and again takes up the revolver in her right. 
In the same level voice.) If I should try this and not suc- 
ceed, I would never have the courage to try again. I must 
test the weapon before I turn it against myself. (She holds 
the zveapon at arm's length and fires, then presses the muz- 
zle against her temple, and as she does so a door is heard 
to slam heavily off back, and as Fay hesitates Harvey rushes 
in at C. D. and seizes her zvrist.) Ralph! 

Harvey. My God, Fay, what are you trying to do? 

Fay. What have you done to me? 

Harvey. Heaven forgive me. I have tried to test you — 
I was a jealous fool. I wished to satisfy myself. I knew 
if you cared for this man that you would send for him when 
you thought I had left you. I saw him enter the elevator. 
I followed ; I waited near the door and then heard your 
maid dismiss him. 

Fay. Then you didn't leave me — you didn't leave me? 

Harvey. No — a thousand times, no ! 

Fay (hysterically). Oh, I am so glad! (She faints in his 
arms.) 

CURTAIN. 



A Daughter of the Desert 

By CHARLES ULRICH. 

Price, 23 Cents 

A comedy-drama of the Arizona Plains, 4 acts; 6 m., 4 f. Time, 
21/4 h. Scenes: 2 interiors. Easy to set. Characters: Harold 
Morton, a railroad surveyor. Clarence Ogden, a rancher. Samuel 
Hopkins, a land speculator. Pedro Silvera, a Mexican renegade. 
Jim Parker, a gambler. Bill Jones, a sure-fire sheriff. Ruth 
Arlington, a daughter of the desert. Mrs. Mary Ogden, a widow. 
White Bird, an Apache Indian girl. 

SYNOPSIS. 

Act I. — Clarence and Lucy have an adventure. "How dare you 
kiss a helpless girl, sir?" Silvera's charge. Your father was killed 
by Charles Morton. The avowal of love. Hopkins dotes on custard 
pies. The Apache outbreak. "If I die, clear my father's name." 

Act II. — "It's not my stomach, but my heart, papa." Clarence 
wounded. The arrest of Morton. White Bird's avowal. "We shall 
bring the guilty to justice." 

Act III.^ — How Silvera got a scar on the back of his hand. "I put 
it there with my sticker!" "I am a man of honor and my word is 
my bond." The rescue of Morton by cowboys. Ruth has the upper 
hand. Off to the Mexican line. 

Act IV. — "My husband ate two lemon pies and died." White Bird 
clears up the mystery. "Silvera shot him in back." Jones and 
Parker take a hand in the game. Ruth the richest girl in Arizona. 
Everybody happy. 

The Lonely ville Social Club 

By W. C. PARKER. 
Price, 25 Cents 

Comedy, 3 acts; 10 f. Time, li^ h. Exceedingly lively and 
humorous. 

SYNOPSIS. 

Act I. — Time hangs heavily on the hands of Mrs. Jack Newly- 
wed and Magda Peachblow, and they resolve to form a social club. 
The representative ladies of the village make a 9 o'clock general 
call. 

Act I presents Lonelyville's "four hundred." The stormy session 
of the benefit society, Gladys is both seen and heard. General con- 
fusion. 

Act II. — Mrs. Newlywed attempts to form the social club. Mrs. 
Purse Proud on her track. Discovered. A stormy scene. The 
determination to present "Uncle Tom's Cabin." 

Act III. — The town hall has been converted into a theater for 
the occasion. Gladys raises a row. Mrs. Steps and Mrs. Proud 
settle old scores. Ellen makes a show of herself. The performers 
are guyed by the "audience" and the performance cut short in 
disgust. The windup of the "Lonelyville Social Club." 

T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 

163 Randolph Street, CHICAGO 



All A Mistake 

By W. C. PARKER. 
Price, 25 Cents 

Farce-comedy, 3 acts; 4 m., 4 f. Time, about 2 h. Scenes: Easy 
to set. Lawn at "Oak Farm" and drawing-room. Characters: 
Capt. Obadiah Skinner, a retired sea captain. Lieut. George Rich- 
mond, his nephew, who starts the trouble. Richard Hamilton a 
country gentleman. Ferdinand Lighthead, who falls in love don- 
cherknow. Nellie Richmond, George's wife. Nellie Huntington a 
friend. Nellie Skinner, antiquated but still looking for a man. 
Nellie Mclntyre, a servant. 

SYNOPSIS. 

Act I. — The arrival of George and his bride. A friend in need. 
The old maid and her secret. Ferdy in search of a wife. George's 
jealousy. The sudden appearance of a most undesirable party. 
George's quick wit prevents discovery. 

Act II. — The plot thickens. Cornelia in search of her "Romeo." 
The downfall of Ferdy. Richard attempts to try the "soothing 
system" on a lunatic. George has a scheme connected with a fire 
in the furnace and some pitch tar. Richard runs amuck amid gen- 
eral confusion. 

Act III. — The Captain arms himself with a butcher knife and 
plans revenge. Nellie hopelessly insane. The comedy duel. "Ro- 
meo" at last. "Only one Nellie in the world." The unraveling of 
a skein of mystery, and the finish of an exciting day, to find it was 
"All a Mistake." 

A Busy Liar 

By GEORGE TOTTEN SMITH. 
Price, 25 Gents 

Farce-comedy, 3 acts; 7 m., 4 f. Time, 2i/i h. Scenes: Easy to 
set, 1 exterior, 2 interiors. Characters: Simeon Meeker, who told 
one lie.- Judge Quakely. Senator Carrollton. Macbeth, a hot-headed 
Scotchman. Dick, in a matrimonial tangle. William Trott, a re- 
cruit. Job Lotts, another one. Mrs. MacFarland, everybody's 
friend. Tennie, with a mind of her own. Janet, a Scotch lassie. 
Mrs. Earlj% a young widow. 

SYNOPSIS. 

Act I. — Off to the war. A paternal arrangement of marriage. 
Janet of the Macbeth clan. Some complications. Meeker and the 
Widow. A lapse from truth. Meeker made captain. "You are 
afraid to go." "Afraid? Never!" 

Act II. — In camp. Captain Meeker and strict discipline. The 
Widow, the Judge and the Senator court-martialed. The Widow 
wins. Another lie and more complications. An infuriated Scotch- 
man. "You held her in your arms." "She is my wife." 

Act III. — The ball. "Not military matters, but matrimony." 
"Another of Meeker's fairy stories." The Captain in kilts. "The 
funniest thing I ever saw." The Widow untangles a tangle of lies. 
A lass for every lad. Peace proclaimed. Meeker remains "at the 
base of supplies." ^^^^ 

T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 

163 Randolph Street, CHICAGO . 



^^^m Venison's 

"^MM Vaudeville Sketches 

nr^l^l]\ Price, 15 Cents Each, Postpaid. 

Hilllfl ^ * .1 V^> ^ Nearly all of these skelcnes were written for profes^ 

ItlH '''^ xwn i f ii Hl f j l slonals and have been sri ven with great success oy vaude- 
li W ^O^TVOrorog ville artists of note. They are essentially dramatic and 
^I'lXiilV* ' ig^ V6^y funny; up-to-date comedy. They are not recom- 
LWx^DFsisos^ffll mended for church entertainments; however, tney con- 
ItIl 'i"'"S°"^^^ tain nothing that will offend, and arc all within the 
T4 m.Tin i i ^»^ I range of amateurs. 

DOINGS OF A DUDE.— Vaudeville sketch, by Harry L. Newton; 2 m., 1 f. 
Time 20 m. Scene: Simple interior. Maizy Von Billion of athletic tendsn- 
cies is expecting a boxing instructor and has procured Bloody Mike, a prize 
fighter, to " try him out." Percy Montmorency, her sister's ping pong teacher. 
Is mistaken for the boxing instructor and has a "trying out" that Isasur* 
prise. A whirlwind of fun and action. 

FRESH TIMOTHY HAV.-VaudeviUe sketch, by Harry L.Newton; 2 m., 
1 f. Time 20 m. Scene: Simple rural exterior. By terms of a will, Rose 
Lark must m-^rry Reed Bird or forfeit a legacy. Rose and Reed have never 
met and when he arrives Timothy Hay, a fresh farm hand, mistakes him f®r 
Pink Eye Pete, a notorious thief. Ludicrous lines and rapid action. 

OLICKMAN, THE GLAZIER.— Vaudeville sketch, by Harry L. Newton 
and A. S. Hoffman; 1 m., 1 f. Time 25 m. Scene: Simple interior. Char- 
lotte Russe, an actress, is scored by a dramatic paper. With "blood in her eye" 
she seeks the critic at the ofBce, finds no one in and smashes a window. Jacob 
Glickman, a Hebrew glazier, rushes in and is mistaken for the critic. Fun, 
jokes, gags and action follow with lightning rapidity. A great Jew part. 

THE GODDESS OF LOVE.— Vaudeville sketch, by Harry L. Newton; 1 m., 
If. Time 15 m. Scene: Simple exterior. Aphrodite, a Greek goddess, is a 
statue in the park. According to tradition a gold ring placed upon her finger 
will bring her to life. Knott Jones, a tramp, who had slept in the parkaD 
night, brings her to life. A rare combination of the beautiful and the best of 
comedy, ^'ovel, easy to produce and a great hi*,. 

HEY, RUBE!— Monologue, by Harry L. Newton; 1 m. Time 16 m, Reuben 
Spinach from Yapton visits Chicago for the first time. The way ne tells of 
the sights and what befell him would make a sphinx laugh. 

!S IT RAINING?— Vaudeville sketch, by Harry L. Newton; 1 m., 1 f. 
Time 10 m. Otto Swimorebeer, a German, Susan Fairweather, a friend of 
his. This act runs riot with fun, gags, absurdities and comical lines. 

MARRIAGE AND AFTER.— Monologue, by Harry L. Newton and A. S. 
Hoffman; 1 m. Time about 10 m. A laugh every two seconds on a subject 
which appeals to all. Full of local hits. 

ME AND MY DOWN TRODDEN SEX.— Old maid monologue, by Harry L. 
Newton; 1 f. Time 5 m. Polly has lived long enough to gather a few facts 
about men, which are told in the most laughable manner imaginable. 

AN OYSTER S'^EW.— A rapid-fire talking act, by Harry L. Newton and 
A. S. Hoffman; 2 m. Time 10 m. Dick Tell, a knowing chap. Tom Askit, 
not so wise. This act is filled to overfiowing with lightning cross-fires, 
pointed puns and hot retorts. 

PICKLES FOR TWO.— Dutch rapid-fire talking act, by Harry L. Newton 
and A. S. Hoffman; 2 m. Time 15 m. Hans, a German mixer Gus, another 
one. Unique ludicrous Dutch dialect, interspersed with rib-starting witti- 
cisms. The style of act made famous by Weber and Field. 

THE TROUBLES OF ROZINSKL— Jew monologue, by Harry L. Newton 
and A. S. Hoffman; 1 m. Time 15 m. Rozinski, a buttonhole-maker, Is 
forced to join the union and go on a "strike." He has troubles every minute 
that will tickle the ribs of both Labor and Capital. 

WORDS TO THE WISE.— Monologue, by Harry L. Newton; 1 m. Time 
about 15 m. A typical vaudeville talking ant. which Is fat with funny lipes 
•ad xjich rare hits ttwrt will be remembered and laughed over for weeks. 

T. S. DEMSON & COMPANY. 163 Randolph St.. Chicago 



DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS. 

Price 15 Cents Each, Postpaid. Unless Different Price is Given. 



M. F. 

Documentary Evidence, 25 min. 1 1 

Dude in a Cyclone, 20 min.... 4 2 

Family Strike, 20 min 3 3 

First-Class Hotel, 20 min 4 

For Love and Honor, 20 min.. 2 1 

Fudge and a Burglar, 15 min.. 5 
Fun in a Photograph Gallery, 

30 min 6 10 

Great Doughnut Corporation, 

30 min 3 5 

Great Medical Dispensary, 30 m. 6 
Great Pumpkin Case, 30 min. ..12 

Hans Von Smash, 30 min 4 3 

Happy Pair, 25 min 1 1 

I'm Not Mesilf at All, 25 min. 3 2 
Initiating a Granger, 25 min.. 8 

Irish Linen Peddler, 40 min... 3 3 

Is the Editor In? 20 min 4 2 

Kansas Immigrants, 20 min.... 5 1 

Men Not Wanted, 30 min 8 

Mike Donovan's Courtship, 15 m. 1 3 

Mother Goose's Goslings, 30 m. 7 9 

Mrs. Carver's Fancy Ball, 40 m. 4 3 
Mrs. Stubbins' Book Agent, 30 

min 3 2 

My Lord in Livery, 1 hr 4 3 

My Neighbor's Wife, 45 min... 3 3 

My Turn Next, 45 min 4 3 

My Wife's Relations, 1 hr 4 6 

Not a Man in the House, 40 m. 5 

Obstinate Family, 40 min 3 3 

Only Cold Tea, 20 min 3 3 

Outwitting the Colonel, 25 min. 3 2 

Pair of Lunatics, 20 min 1 1 

Patsy O'Wang, 35 min 4 3 

Pat, the Apothecary, 35 min . . . 6 2 

Persecuted Dutchman, 30 min. . 6 3 

Regular Fix, 35 min 6 4 

Rough Diamond, 40 min 4 3 

Second Childhood, 15 min. 2 2 

Slasher and Crasher, 50 min... 5 2 

Taking Father's Place, 30 min.. 5 3 

Taming a Tiger, 30 min 3 

That Rascal Pat, 30 min 3 2 

Those Red Envelopes, 25 min. 4 4 
Too Much of a Good Thing, 45 

min 3 6 

Treasure from Egypt, 45 min. 4 1 

Turn Him Out, 35 min 3 2 

Two Aunts and a Photo, 20 m. . 4 

^'Taun Rnnnvcastles^ 45 min 3 3 



One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



VAUDEVILLE SKETCHES, MON- 
OLOGUES, ETHIOPIAN PLAYS. 

M. F. 

Ax'in' Her Father, 25 min 2 3 

Booster Club of Blackville, 25 m.lO 
Breakfast Food for Two, 20 m. . 1 1 

Cold Finish, 15 min 2 1 

Coon Creek Courtship, 15 min.. 1 1 
Coontown Thirteen Club, 25 m. 14 

Counterfeit Bills, 20 min 1 1 

Doings of a Dude, 20 min 2 1 

Dutch Cocktail, 20 min 2 

Five Minutes from Yell College, 

15 min 2 

For Reform, 20 min 4 

Fresh Timothy Hay, 20 min... 2 1 
Glickman, the Glazier, 25 min.. 1 1 
Handy Andy (Negro), 12 min.. 2 

Her Hero, 20 min 1 1 

Hey, Rube! 15 min 1 

Home Run, 1 5 min 1 1 

Hot Air, 25 min 2 1 

Jumbo Jum, 30 min 4 3 

Little Red School House, 20 m. 4 
Love and Lather, 35 min..... 3 2 
Marriage and After, 10 min... 1 
Mischievous Nigger, 25 min... 4 2 

Mistaken Miss, 20 min 1 1 

Mr. and Mrs. Fido, 20 min 1 1 

Mr. Badger's Uppers, 40 min . . 4 2 
One Sweetheart for Two, 20 m. 2 
Oshkosh Next Week, 20 min.. 4 

Oyster Stew, 10 min 2 

Pete Yansen's Gurl's Moder, 10 

min 1 

Pickles for Two, 15 min 2 

Pooh Bah of Peacetown, 35 min. 2 2 
Prof. Black's Funnygraph, 15 m. 6 

Recruiting Office, 15 min 2 

Sham Doctor, 10 min 4 2 

Si and I, 15 min 1 

Special Sale, 15 min 2 

Stage Struck Darky, 10 min... 2 1 
Sunny Son of Italy, 15 min... 1 

Time Table, 20 min _. . 1 1 

Tramp and the Actress, 20 min. 1 1 
Troubled by Ghosts, 10 min... 4 
Troubles of Rozinski, 15 min.. 1 
Two Jay Detectives, 15 min... 3 

Umbrella Mender, 15 min 2 

TTnHp Bill at the Vaudeville, 15 

n 1 

Jeff, 25 min 5 2 

Jits de Reward? 30 min.. 5 1 



A dreat number of , ' 

ndard and Amateur Plays 
found here are listed in 
Denison's Catalogue. 

ers, 163 Randolph St., Chicago. 



LlBRftR^ 0^, 



CONGRESS 



POPULAR ENTERTAl 

Price, Illustrated Paper Gov 





¥N this Series 
are found 
books touching- 
eve ry feature 
in the enter- 
tainment field. 
Finely made, 
goo.d paper, 
clear print and 
each book has 
an attractive 
individual cov- 
er design. 



DIALOGUES 

AH Sorts o£ Dialoifues. 

Selected, fine for older pupils. 
Catchy Comic Dialogues. 

New, clever; for young: people. 
Children's Comic Dialo({ues. 

From six to eleven years of agre. 
Dialogues from Dickens. 

Thirteen selections. 
The Friday Afternoon Dialogues. 

50,000 copies sold. 
From Tots to Teens. 

Dialogfues and recitations. 
Lively Dialogues. 

For all ages; mostly humorous. 
When the Lessons are Over. 

Dialogues, drills, plays. 
Wide Awake Dialogues. 

Brand new, original, successful. 

SPEAKERS, MONOLOGUES 

Choice Pieces for Little People. 

A child's speaken 

The Comic Entertainer. 

Recitations, monologues, dialogues. 

Dialect Readini^s. 

Irish. Dutch. Negro, Scotch, etc. 

The Favorite Speaker. 

Choice prose and poetry. 

The Friday Afternoon Speaker. 
For pupils of all ages. 

Humorous Monologues. 
Particularly for ladies. 

Monologues for Younit Folks. 
Clever, humorous, original. 

The Patriotic Speaker. 

Master thoughts of masterminds. 

The Poitical Entertainer. 
Forlreading or speaking. 

Pom«»s/ov the Peepul. 

W?t, humor, satire; funny poems. 

Scrao-Book Recitations.... 

Choice collections, pathetic, hu- 
morous, descriptive, prose, poe- 
try. 14 Nos., per No. 25c. 







Thi 



'eW 348 487 4_' 
DRILLS 

; Best Drill Book. 

Very popular drills and marches. 
The Favorite Book of Drills. 

Drills that sparkle with originality. 
Little Plays With Drills. 

For children from 6 to 11 years. 
The Surprise Drill Book. 

Fresh, novel, drills and marches. 

SPECIALTIES 

The Boys* Entertainer. 

Monologues, dialogues, drills. 
Children's Parly Book. 

Plans, invitations, decorations, 

games. 
The Days We Celebrate. 

Entertainments for all the holic ay s. 
Good Things fur Christmas. 

Recitations, dialogues, drills. 
The Little Folks, or Work and Play. 

A gem of a book. 
Little Folks' Budget. 

Easy pieces to speak, songs. 
One Hundred Entertainments. 

New parlor diversions, socials. 
Patriotic Celebrations. 

Great variety of material. 
Pranks and Pastimes. 

Parlor games for children. 
Shadow Pictures, Pantomimes, 

Charades, and how to prepare. 
Tableaux and Scenic Headings. 

New and novel; for all ages. 
Twinkling Fini^ers and Swaying 

Figures. For little tots. 
Yuletide Entertainments. 

A choice Christmas collection. 

HAND BOOKS 

The Debater's Handbook. 

Bound only in cloth, 50c. 
Everybody's Letter Writer. 

A handy manual. 
Good Manners. 

Etiquette in brief form. 
Private Theatricals. 

How to put on plays. 
Social Card Games. 

Complete in brief form. 

MINSTRELS, JOKES 

Black American Joker. 

Minstrels' and end men's gags. 
A Bundle of Burnt Cork Comedy. 

Monologues, stump speeches, etc. 
Lau^hland, via the Ha-Ha Route. 

A merry trip for fun tourists, 
Ne^ro Minstrels. 

All about the business. 
The New Jolly Jester. 

Funny stories, jokes, gags, etc. 

Lar^e Illustrated Catalogue Free. 



T. S. DENISON & COMPANY. Publishers, 163 Randolph St., Chicago 



